Abstract
CIHP II, an Ayurvedic combination of several plant ingredients and minerals, was tested for its adaptogenic action. CIHP II had a strong adaptogenic action in single, multiple, and prolonged dose schedules. It had a cumulative adaptogenic property. CIHP II intake resulted in an improved maintenance of blood glucose levels at the end of exhaustive swimming exercises with little difference in blood lactic acid as compared with control rats without CIHP II intake. This suggested conservation of glucose utilisation. CIHP II was found to potentiate the oxygen delivery system by increasing red cell 2,3 Diphosphoglyceric acid (2,3-DPG) levels on exposure to hypobaric hypoxia. It improved cellular membrane permeability, as the release of creatine phosphokinase in circulation during hypobaric hypoxia was restricted on CIHP II intake. However, several tissue metabolite concentrations were not altered during the resting state. The CIHP II appeared to induce a state of non-specific increased resistance (SNIR) during stress.